The Town of Banff is investigating ways to increase public participation in the municipality’s finances – but there won’t be any changes to the budget process for this year.
The municipality already has a very open budget process – much different than the one that existed a decade ago when the Outlook and members of the public pushed to have it more transparent.
Officials say they are always looking for ways to improve and have begun discussing the potential of adding public members to the finance committee or create a separate budget committee with public representation.
Councillor Paul Baxter said he is very happy to see interest from the public to become more involved in the budget process.
“I would encourage any Banffite to be involved in the preparation of what is ultimately their budget,” he said.
“Providing the opportunity for people to provide proactive input will be extremely valuable. I look forward to finding a solution to encourage involvement, but maintain an efficient process.”
In Banff, the Town’s finance team is seeking feedback from local groups such as hoteliers and small businesses when developing the municipality’s financial plan, which feeds into the public budget process.
Recently, Canmore moved to a budget committee which consists of four public members and two council members. They received seven public applications when the call went out.
A few other Alberta municipalities also include public members on their council-led finance or budget committees, including Okotoks and Airdrie.
“By having public members represented on a budget committee, the Town would add an increased public voice to the process of budget development,” said Chris Hughes, the Town of Banff’s senior accountant.
Coun. Leslie Taylor said she believes the Town should do everything possible to allow all citizens to have input into the budget before decisions are made.
“Maybe we need to change the agenda of the budget committee to allow even more opportunities for comments, inputs, ideas from the people attending the meeting,” she said.
“In the end, however, I think people expect that they have elected councillors to be accountable for the decisions they make on spending. That’s not something that can be delegated.”
Coun. Chip Olver said there would be a report to council in spring about the possibility of providing additional ways for public involvement in the budget process.
“I think we heard from council that all of us want to maintain our current level of involvement in the budget process because it is such an important part of our annual work,” she said.
Olver said more public involvement in the budget process could be an addition of public members to the finance committee, creating a budget committee with a mix of public and council members, involving residents in the review of service levels that precedes drafting the budget, or perhaps some way to be involved online.
“I always remember how many services municipalities provide that touch people’s day to day lives and how important it is that we get our service levels right,” she said.
Coun. Stavros Karlos said the reason for the discussion is to find an engaging method for those who want to be involved.
“I’d like to see how it worked in Canmore, and maybe have a discussion in a year’s time,” he said.
Mayor Karen Sorensen said she believes council consults quite extensively.
“We’re interested in hearing how the process has worked in Canmore and maybe we could also be including public members during our service level reviews,” she said.
Banff kicks off its public budget process Monday, Nov. 21, with a meeting allowing for presentations from various community groups seeking funding.
Council will then begin deliberating and discussing the budget over a series of public meetings scheduled Nov. 28, Nov. 30, Dec. 5, Dec. 7 and Dec. 12. All meetings start at 9 a.m. in council chambers.
